Gordon's POV

When his team had been killed he was forced to take cover in the woods. For weeks he had sent out messages to any signal he could get. Hoping that Delta would receive them.

When he got the confirmation that he did Gordon made his way to the agreed upon site. Only to find that someone else had gotten there first. It was not the one Delta had trusted. He had been captured first. Then his rescuers had been killed one by one. Leaving only the leader alive.

The brown haired man had been taken to their facility with him. Knowing Delta as well as he did he knew the other wouldn't be far behind. Either he would get them out or he would die trying.

Which is how he ended up rushing out of the facility with a man on his back. Delta had a habit of making things explode. Some thing that had been encouraged by Medusa and David Abbot.

They made it to the safe zone just in time. The whole building blew sending concrete and metal shards everywhere. Gordon felt the man on his back shift. Whether it was in pain or he was returning to consciousness it was hard to tell.

Delta turned his grey eyes studying the man. Then he gestured with his head to where they were going. Following Delta was not the easiest thing to do. Even without being beaten it would have been difficult.

Finally reaching the top of the hill he saw most of Century team 12. One man was not apart of the original team. By the logo on his jacket he was part of the same group that the man on his back was. Then there were the kids that had been rescued. Not one of them looked older than ten.

Gently he placed his would have been rescuer on the ground. His eyes were closed and his face pale. The man definitely needed medical attention. Looking at the team he noticed that he wasn't the only one. Charlie had a bullet would to the knee. There was no way he would be making the treck from the woods. Knowing Delta as well as he did. He knew that there wasn't an extraction plan. They certainly couldn't stay here and wait for someone to pick them up either. It would be enemies before it would be allies.

Delta asked bending down next to Charlie," What's our status?"

Echo said," We are down to half of our ammo. The only one who can make more is you with your arrows. Charlie won't be walking anytime soon. Nor by the looks of it will your friend over there. The kids are another thing to consider."

Gordon could see the fear in said kids eyes. They thought they would be left in the forest. No one here was that cruel. Delta acted like a bastard sometimes but he wouldn't do that.

Delta said looking over at the nonMedusan," Go get the Quinjet. Take Bravo with you. You should be able to land in the clearing. We will keep it safe for you."

The unknown man nodded. Within moments they were both ready to go. Gordon could see the worry in their eyes. Neither would argue however.

Delta immediately got to work on Charlie's leg. He bandaged it with expert precision.

Gordon asked coming up next to him," Anything I can do to help?"

"Check on Coulson."

It took a moment for him to realize Delta meant the other man. So his name was Coulson. Looking past the bruises he felt recognition spark in the back of his mind.

Bending down next to the man he knew who it was. Phil Coulson ex-army ranger. One of the best. He had gotten out just a few months after Gordon joined. He had heard that the man had been recruited for some special outfit. That was the last anyone heard about it from the man since.

Whatever outfit that Coulson joined it seemed that Delta was apart of it too. The question was why? As much as he wanted to ask he knew he couldn't. At least not yet.

Delta's POV

Frowning he used the sleeve of his shirt to bandage Charlie's knee. It would need surgery to repair. Even then there was a high chance that he would never have fully mobility in it again. The bullet had completely shattered his knee cap. It was depressing but there was nothing he could do.

Leaving Charlie to rest he went to check on Coulson. Coulson was in bad shape but he would recover. Echo had brought sticks that were long and sturdy. They would make a good splint. So he ripped the hem of his shirt into long strips. Then proceeded to make tie the sticks around the man's leg.

The sound of a jet going over them drew his attention. He was just finishing the splint. Looking up he recognized the SHIELD logo. Good it was Sitwell.

The Quinjet landed in the clearing. With help he was able to get both injured men and the children on board. The children were the hardest tl convince. They didn't trust anyone but him. Given what had happened to them Delta didn't blame them. They had a long recovery ahead of them. He knew some people that would help with that. They were trusted child service members. The kids would live good lives.

Once they were all in the jet Sitwell took off again. Sitwell said," There is a safe house about 100 miles to the north of us. We can head there to take care of the wounded."

He asked quietly," SHIELD?"

Sitwell nodded. That was good. It would give them the chance to send everyone off. He would get in touch with his contacts. The others could disperse and he would see Charlie to the hospital.

He said," Go there."

There was no reply. With a sigh he went back to the others. Upon arriving he noticed most of them were asleep.

While the operation wasn't a long one. It had taken a lot out of them. As such they were following Echo's advice. Rest was a weapon. He followed their lead and found a seat to sleep in.

A few hours later he was shaken awake. The hand was removed before he could react. Opening his eyes he saw Gordom standing over him. Blue eyes searched his grey ones.

He asked stretching," Where are we?"

Gordon stepped hand to allow him to stand as he responded," Just outside the town's limits. Your pilot took everyone else already. I convinced him to let me wake you."

That was probably for the best. They really didn't need anyone else needing a doctor right now. Gordon knew him almost as well as Echo did. That allowed him to safely awaken him.

Stretching he followed Gordon out of the jet. While they were given odd looks none of the townspeople questioned their presence. Gordon led the way to the safe house. It was an inconspicuous two story building. Just by looking at it one wouldn't be able to tell it was owned by SHIELD. It wouldn't be much of a safe house if one could tell however.

Not all that surprising was that a doctor had arrived. He was tending to Charlie. The doctor was in his late forties or early fifties. He had greying blond hair and hazel eyes. Upon hearing him enter however the man looked up.

Eyes narrowed he said," From what I understand you are the leader. Your man here needs a hospital. I have cleaned and rebandaged this man's leg wound. That is all I can do for him, however."

Delta said nodding," We plan on it. What about the children?"

The man stood stiffly," Without blood work there is little I can tell you. I will look at the man who looks like he lost a fight with a baseball bat. As well as the man who came in with you."

Gordon had already moved to sit in an open chair. Sitwell walked in making Delta's head snap to the previously ignored doorway. The SHIELD agent motioned for Delta to follow him.

He left the doctor to look after the injured. Following Sitwell through the doorway into a kitchen. While it was fairly bare it held the essentials. Including a wooden table with four wooden chairs.

Sitwell said rubbing his eyes," The kids are upstairs with any luck sleeping. They refused to be seperated. The one called Peter seems to be the leader."

Delta sat in one of the chairs faced so his back was to a corner. He said," I remember him. He was the one who escaped and alerted me that there was kids in the building. I will make contact with someone I know will take care of them, later."

Sitwell sat at the table and responded calmly," This has one crazy ass mission."

Delta snorted as he said with a faint smile," This is nothing. The last time we rescued Almanac we took a helicopter out in a typhoon."

The look on Sitwell's face was priceless and worth sharing a little about them. Few knew much about his time in Medusa. Those that did had been involved in it one way or another.

"You smiled?!" Was the surprised question.

Blinking Delta could only stare. The hell?

Sitwell said a weary smile crossing his face," I have never seen you smile before. You should do it more. You don't look so haunted that way."

He sighed," There was little to smile about. You know Coulson shot me in the leg to get me to SHIELD."

The gobsmacked look was worth it getting out. The other said laughing," You have got to be kidding. Coulson shot you in the leg? Hahaha."

He snapped," It's not that funny."

It had no real heat behind the words. Despite how much the man annoyed him occasionally he was a good guy. Not that Delta trusted him completely. Just enough.

They sat in silence for two hours before the doctor came in. Ignoring Sitwell he turned to Delta.

There was blood on his hands from working. The hands were twisting somewhat nervously as he said," The one with the dislocated fingers will be fine. I suggest rest until he heals and a psychiatrist. For the one with the broken leg. He has a concussion of a mild grade. His femur is broken in four places. I have splinted it the best I can but he needs a hospital."

Delta opened his mouth to reply but fell short when Gordon walked in. The other said," Delta I have contacted that mutual friend of ours. She will be picking up the kids in the morning."

The doctor said holding up his hands," I don't want to know any more. Good luck to each of you."

With that he was gone. No doubt someone had already paid him. There was only so far someone would go for money. The doctor had apparently hit his limit.

Gordon said after a moment," The others are packing up to leave. They don't want anything to do with whoever the jet belongs to."

Yeah Delta didn't blame them. While Gordon didn't recognize the emblem the others did. Any criminal worth their salt did.

He asked carefully," And Charlie?"

Gordon said shaking his head," Echo, will be taking care of him."

That took care of that problem. That left getting him, Gordon, and Coulson out of there. They could take the Quinjet. Once back in the States he could have Sitwell drop him somewhere. SHIELD wouldn't want him back.

A voice said from the doorway," Delta we are out. Good luck."

That was Echo. It seemed they were leaving. He moved from the chair to the doorway. His men had their gear packed into bags. There was nothing to be said at this point. People like them didn't say goodbye. It was bad luck. Each man gave him a nod as they left. Echo was supporting Charlie so that he could walk.

Once they were all gone Delta felt a pair of eyes on him. It wasn't coming from in the kitchen. Turning his head he saw Coulson. The older man was watching him warily.

He called out to Sitwell," Hey guess who's awake?"

Not two seconds later Sitwell was poking his head out. A huge grin crossed the others face. Despite everything the man was a tad childish. Not enough to effect his work but enough to be refreshing. The look on Couslon's face was worth it.

Coulson said," Jasper. So you two are my rescuers then."

Delta's eyes softened as he said," With a little help from my team. Seven always take at least seven."

Coulson looked of Sitwell for help. The dark skinned man shrugged as he replied," Yeah I don't even know with that one. I do know that I was your seventh man."

Gordon snickered," The only nonmedusan. Delta," his head swing around to look at the other," Come with me a moment."

Nodding he followed Gordon out of the room. The SHIELD agents could talk.